..."and a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the way of holiness; evil minded people shall not travel on it, but it shall be for those wayfarers who are traveling toward God. (Isaiah 35:8, adapted)

Saturday, June 02, 2007

Today I caught a glimpse of God. Out of thethe corner of my spiritual eye: the IntenseOne preparing to work. He is after far morethan a gentle bath in the tub for us, you know.

He is headed for the inner depths. Theplaces we barely know about hiddendeep within. But why? Today I saw Him pullup in His sleek search and rescue boat,He found just the most murky, sea-weedentangled spot and quietly and confidentlylooked down. He was not worried that Hisboat would stall in the tangled subterraneanweeds. No, he wasn't on a pleasure trip.He had work to do. "Do you absolutelywant the best?" He grins down at me.All I know is what I think I want. I supposeits a place to start. I also suppose that the Lord has other plans, He always does.

Today they had new home video of thealleged Loch Ness Monster. Why do we keeplooking for this monster? Because we arefascinated with the idea of a monsterlurking in the depths of our lakes. Suchstories keep resurfacing, excuse the pun,because it is an archetype for our own innermonsters, the ones we know are there butrarely catch a glimpse of. We are bothscared of what could be there, and eagerto see an other-worldly beauty.

Sin didn't just nick us. It wrecked us.But we are still made in the image ofGod and He still can see that imageeven underneath layers of tarnish.This healing process isn't aboutbandaiding the little hurts thatlife inflicts on us, it isn't evenabout botoxing the big ones. It is aboutpulling the the deepest, darkestsin-enrobed monsters inside of us outby the roots. This isn't day surgery,it is seriously foundational healing. It isabout putting the fear and wonder backinto "fearfully and wonderfullymade."

It is about the "inside being bigger thenthe outside." It is about beingthree days and three nights in the bellyof a whale. And it is also about beinga glorious son or daughter of God--fullyrestored, fully functioning, ALL that Godintended.

Think about being "fearfully andwonderfully made" just for a momentand let the shiver run up and down yourspine. Everyone who knows me knows thatthey can often find me out antiquing.There is nothing more thrilling thenfinding an old dust and grease coveredobject whose beauty is just waiting tobe rediscovered and restored despitethe ravage of the years. Are we reallyany different?

There is far more to us then we know.And God wants to not just heal us, Hewants to make us whole, and not justwhole, but better than before. I thinkHe will make things, us included,even better than the original planbecause God is never trumped bysin. His new plan for the Bride, createdand ransomed by and for His Son,will be a greater sight to behold thenwhatever He had originally plannedfor Adam and Eve.

Do you like to go treasure seeking?So does God : spelunking in the innercaves of our souls, diving into thedepths of our murky subterraneandarkness; searching for gold onthe shipwrecked galleons of ourhearts. Our God is after healing.He is heaven-bent on restoration.

When He fixes something He makesit better than new. He will trumpevery evil every committed. Hewill work ALL things together forgood. If that hope seems dimbecause the light inside you hasbecome a smoldering wick, fear not! He shall fan you back into a roaring fire! He shall do more then restore the yearsthat the locusts ate, He willraise you up as His eternalinheritance. Do not doubt Him.

Here's what I have been mullingover:

"All creation is waiting for themanifestation of the sons of God."(Romans 8:19).

Say that slowly and really give ita whirl. Its on the same shiverlevel as "fearfully and wonderfullymade" only more so. If itdoesn't produce a rise insideof you, we'll have to call thatheavenly search and rescuesquad over to take a look.

Remember that we are still inour salad days, green as a cabbage.God has a long way to go with us, butgo He will.

C.S. Lewis said, "To remember that millions of years from now, the dullest and most uninteresting person you meet may one day an incredible creature, who if you saw him now you would be strongly tempted to worship, or, a horror as you only now meet in a nightmare.

All day long we are in some degrees helping each other to one or the other of these destinations. ... There are no ordinary people. Youhave never talked to a mere mortal. ... But it is immortals with whom we joke, work, marry, snub, and exploit. Immortal horrors or everlasting splendors, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses."

Which will you be?

God is aching to heal you. Make hastetoward Him. Cut a hole in the roof andget your friends to lower you down. Jumpin the water as soon as it stirs. Climb upin a tree to see Jesus. Let some strangeGalilean spit on some dirt and put it onyour blind eyes. Call out, "Jesus, Son ofGod, have mercy on me a sinner!" Pourout your burial oil on the feet and headof your Lord. Go do it, immortal one!Eternity fast approaches!

Whatever you do, don't hold back, and don'tlet go, and don't give up and don't delay.Make haste toward your Saviour and Lord.One day you will stand whole and healed.And even better than that: one day youwill be a worthy reflection of His image.He will be victorious IN YOU. Let Him be.

Let God do what He wants. His intenttoward you is always good. His abilityto cleanse, even the murkiest of depths,is unrivaled.